Kinnelon student leaders become town leaders

Class leaders from Stonybrook School participate in a mock Borough Council meeting.

Student Council members from Stonybrook School got a firsthand look at how local government operates by meeting recently with borough officials and employees. The youngsters also got to see what it is like to sit on the Borough Council dais and make decisions that affect the public.

At last month's Borough Council meeting, Councilman James Freda said the 42 visitors from Stonybrook School consisted of leaders of their respective classes and included class presidents and vice presidents. Although the youngsters made some decisions just for fun, they also gained a knowledge of the workings of the local government, he said.

Among the lighthearted decisions they made were the approval of the distribution of lollipops to students and the authorization of days off from school. They also voted to change the Kinnelon school district's mascot from the Kinnelon Colts to the Pink Llamas.

"They understood how the town works. They visited the Police Department and Department of Public Works (DPW). By the end of the day, they understood the difference between a resolution and an ordinance," said Freda.

According to fourth-grade teacher Susan West, who serves as the Stonybrook School Student Council advisor, each year an election is held and each class is allowed to elect two representatives. Every Thursday at 8:15 a.m., these young student leaders meet and discuss projects that involve giving back to the community and volunteer endeavors that demonstrate to the students that they can make a difference.

West said Freda invited the students to the municipal building for the field trip.